The Coquitlam Express are hosting the Powell River Kings in a matinee tilt in what will be these two teams’ seventh meeting of the pod season. The Kings got the better of the Express back on the 21st in their last meeting, so the Express are hungry to get a win here this afternoon. Puck drop is at 1:00pm.
The Express are losers of four straight games but will be close to a fully-stocked roster today as both Danny Pearson and Christian MacDougall will be returning from suspension. The Express have been dressing an excessive amount of rookies due to absences and the return of these players adds a substantial amount of depth to this Express club. Pearson’s leadership and offensive contributions have been hugely missed in the last two outings. MacDougall’s physicality and relentless puck pursuit on the penalty kill are integral to this team’s success, especially considering how heavily penalized the Express are.
With only eight games remaining in the Express’ season, every two points are draped in importance. They are especially important in the games against the Kings, as they sit just one point ahead of the Express in the standings. As we’ve seen in the last two games against the Surrey Eagles, points are hard to come by against them – they’ve outscored the Express 18-1 in their last two tilts. Frankly, the Eagles are arguably the best team in the BCHL. The Express really need to capitalize in their four remaining meetings with the Kings. With that being said, the Kings are an offensively potent team and should not be taken lightly. They are the lesser of two evils for the Express.
Staying out of the box, playing structured hockey, and capitalizing on the man advantage are the keys to dethroning the Kings. There are holes in the armour and the Express need to exploit them.
Get off the tracks – a train is coming through!
#allaboard
